Press Releases

Sarajevo, 23.04.2025.- The Council of Europe is supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in enhancing the integrity of elections and fostering public trust in democratic processes, in line with European standards, through the second phase of the project “Support to the Transparency, Inclusiveness, and Integrity of Electoral Practices and Processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” The official launch of this phase took place today in Sarajevo.

Through its activities, the Council of Europe will assist the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina in strengthening its role, improving the professionalism of election administration, and expanding voter education. Special emphasis will be placed on enhancing the inclusiveness of the electoral process, with particular focus on the involvement of women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

The project will also focus on expanding participation in elections through public education and promotional campaigns. Additionally, it will support the media in improving election monitoring and reporting, ensuring balanced and transparent coverage of the entire electoral process, in line with European standards.

“The Council of Europe has been supporting electoral reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina for years, assisting in the practical implementation of European standards. We remain committed to working closely with the Central Election Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as with other institutions, civil society, and the media, to build a stronger electoral system that garners public trust,” said Vahagn Muradyan, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo.

The President of the Central Election Commission of BiH, Dr. Irena Hadžiabdić, emphasized the significant importance of the support provided by the Council of Europe in making elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina fairer, more transparent, and more inclusive.

The first session of the project Steering Board was held today in Sarajevo. The Steering Board is composed of representatives from the Council of Europe and the Central Election Commission of BiH, with international and non-governmental organizations, as well as the media, present as observers. The role of the Steering Board is to guide project activities, ensure transparency, and promote more intensive cooperation among all partners.

As part of the project, and in collaboration with the OSCE Mission to BiH, the Council of Europe is supporting the Central Election Commission of BiH in organizing a central conference of election management bodies entitled “Local Elections 2024 – Lessons for the Future”. The conference, to be held on 24 and 25 April 2025, will provide a platform for assessing the most recent local elections, reviewing key challenges and lessons learned, and further improving the electoral process in preparation for the 2026 General Elections.

For more information, please contact Amar Bašić, Communications Officer at the Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo, tel. +387 61 075 359.

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The project „Supporting Transparency, Inclusiveness, and Integrity of Electoral Practices and Processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Phase II“ is funded by voluntary contributions from Council of Europe member states within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2022-2025. The project is scheduled to run until the end of November 2026.